Make a holiday of it

Things to Do

Many of you are travelling a long way. Here is what we would do with the extra days.

Lac d'Aiguebelette

35 minutes

Emerald, motorboat-free, and warm by July. Rent a wooden rowing boat at Lépin-le-Lac and swim off it.

Chambéry old town

25 minutes

Arcaded streets, the Château des Ducs de Savoie, and the Fontaine des Éléphants. The Saturday market on Place de Genève is worth the early start.

Savoie vineyards

30—50 minutes

The Combe de Savoie grows Jacquère, Mondeuse and Roussette. Tastings in Apremont and Arbin — most cellars want a call ahead.

Walking in the Belledonne & Chartreuse

On the doorstep

Everything from an hour's stroll to the Lac Blanc to full alpine days. The Col du Granier drive is spectacular even if you never leave the car.

Annecy

1 hour

The canal town on the lake — busy in July, and still worth a day. Go early, swim at Plage d'Albigny, eat late.

Lyon & Grenoble

1—1h20

Lyon for bouchons and the Croix-Rousse; Grenoble for the Bastille cable car and the best museum in the region.